Chapter 409 - 288: My Master’s Master? The Path of Martial Arts Must Be Walked Alone (Part 2)

"This Dark Jade is for Master."

Xiang Yue stared at the Dark Jade and wrist guards, then looked at Chu Ming.

"You’re sure you want to give it to your Master and Commander Fang? This is a Storage Treasure, have you thought it through?"

Storage Treasures are different from weapons, the latter are almost always the most handy, one is enough, while the former, the more you have, the larger the World in the Palm, there is no such thing as ’handy’.

"Master." Chu Ming pushed the two items over, his eyes calm, showing no sign of reluctance.

"Alright, Master will accept them."

As the Commander of the 300,000 Tiger Armor Army, Xiang Yue knew very well the benefits of Storage Treasures.

The larger the World in the Palm, the more provisions can be carried, reducing the army’s dependence on supply lines!

Therefore, he really needed Storage Treasures.

"Master, it’s getting late, I’ll take my leave first." Having finished explaining, Chu Ming prepared to leave.

"Not going to see Fang Xiao?"

"I’ve already seen him."

"Alright, be careful."

"Hmm."

"..."

Opening the door to the room, under the pitch-black night, the wind and snow howled.

Whoosh—whoosh—

Chu Ming stepped out, but his foot stopped in mid-air.

"What’s wrong?" Xiang Yue asked.

Chu Ming withdrew his figure, gazing at the darkened night sky.

Just now, the Sword Gourd Spirit sensed a familiar youthful aura, approaching the Xiang Mansion at great speed.

Little Yu?

The aura was from Little Yu, a child from the slums.

Why would Little Yu come here alone?

He focused his Spiritual Sense, checking on Little Yu.

"Huh?"

Outside the Xiang Mansion, on the street covered with white snow, Ji Wujiang, wearing a tattered cotton jacket, suddenly stopped.

"Master...?" Little Yu raised his neck, braving the wind and snow to look up at Ji Wujiang.

"It’s alright, let’s go." He waved lightly, the snowflakes around him seemed to freeze for a moment, then returned to normal.

Meanwhile, inside the Xiang Mansion.

Little Yu’s aura was no longer perceptible!

Chu Ming’s heart trembled.

Just now, he clearly sensed a vague figure beside Little Yu, why couldn’t he sense even Little Yu now?

"That figure..." He slightly frowned.

The figure seemed familiar, plus it was next to Little Yu...

"Ji Wujiang?"

"Chu Ming?" Xiang Yue lightly patted Chu Ming’s shoulder, looking slightly worried, "What’s going on?"

Just as the words fell, amidst the floating snow under the gray sky, suddenly two figures appeared, one tall, one short, landing abruptly in front of the house.

The two figures, wearing tattered cotton jackets, while feather-like snowflakes fell, none seemed to fall upon them.

"Big brother." A crisp, joyful voice penetrated through layers of cold, reaching Chu Ming and Xiang Yue’s ears.

"Master..." Beside Chu Ming, a voice filled with surprise sounded.

Master?

Ji Wujiang is the master of Master Xiang Yue?

Chu Ming’s expression changed instantly.

No way!

Previously in the slums, Ji Wujiang’s strength was merely in the Strong Bone Realm, but now...

He couldn’t be sensed!

"It’s a bit cold, let’s talk inside." Ji Wujiang led Little Yu, walking steadily forward, Xiang Yue quickly made way.

Ji Wujiang entered the house, turned to look at the door, "We’ll leave later."

"Chu Ming..." Xiang Yue didn’t know how to begin.

"Come along, Little Yu is afraid of the cold."

Ji Wujiang lightly swung his sleeve, and both Xiang Yue and Chu Ming felt a pulling force, gentle yet irresistible, drawing them in, as the door automatically closed.

"Have a seat." Ji Wujiang took the master’s seat, sitting directly in the upper seat.

Before Chu Ming and Xiang Yue could react, another Invisible Power made them sit down of their own accord.

Crack...

Beside the fireplace, sparks flew, Little Yu obediently warmed herself by the fire, her rosy cheeks turning even redder from the heat.

The atmosphere, however, grew somewhat strange as the warmth increased.

"Has the vast Xiang Mansion declined to the point where there isn’t even a cup of hot tea?" Ji Wujiang looked at Xiang Yue.

"...Master, we have." Xiang Yue hurriedly got up, bringing over hot tea.

Ji Wujiang poured a cup for Little Yu to warm her hands, then placed the hot tea aside, chuckling lightly at Chu Ming.

"Do you have many doubts?"

Chu Ming remained silent.

"Xiang Yue, tell Chu Ming who I am."

"..." Xiang Yue hesitated, then said, "Chu Ming, this is my master, one of the two National Guardian Realm warriors of the Great Qin Dynasty."

National Guardian Realm!

Deep within Chu Ming’s eyes, a hint of shock appeared, barely discernible.

The National Guardian Realm is the Sea of Qi Realm, with only two warriors in the entire Great Qin Dynasty!

He had suspected Ji Wujiang, guessed at Ji Wujiang’s identity.

But he never imagined that the person living among the slum dwellers could be one of the two National Guardian Realm warriors of the Great Qin Dynasty, his master’s master.

"You don’t seem very shocked." Ji Wujiang stared at Chu Ming, "What, didn’t expect a Sea of Qi Realm warrior to wear a tattered cotton jacket?"

Chu Ming still said nothing, his mind filled with many questions, hoping this snowy cold night could provide some answers.

"Since you’re not asking, I’ll say it myself." Ji Wujiang, seeing Chu Ming silent, began speaking on his own.

"Actually, when you first disguised yourself to enter the slums, I recognized you. Do you know why?"

"The Red Pendant I gave you for protection, it’s with Chu Ming, isn’t it?" Ji Wujiang asked Xiang Yue.

"..." Xiang Yue’s face subtly changed, paused, and then replied, "Yes."

Ji Wujiang had given Xiang Yue two protective treasures, one to ward off Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm attacks, the Red Pendant, the other was the Silver Spear.

One for attack, one for defense, even facing the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm, Xiang Yue could fight.

This was why Xiang Yue had the confidence, relying on his Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm strength, to command the Tiger Armor Army to resist the Nine Hordes Kingdom’s invasion.

"You’ve invested quite a bit in your disciple." Ji Wujiang continued his lighthearted smile, "Without the Red Pendant, your strength is halved."

Halved!

Chu Ming’s eyes focused, finally realizing the true value of the Red Pendant given by his master.